KR20000033064A - Apparatus and method for providing menu service in digital television - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for providing a menu service in a digital television is provided so that a user-oriented menu interface environment conforming to user preference is provided in a user interface in a digital TV by using a card-type menu service apparatus provided from the outside. CONSTITUTION: A card reader reads out menu screen data necessary for service from a menu card inserted into a card insertion opening through a card connection jack in a user interface. In a case where the menu card is not inserted, a menu service for the user interface is provided using a self-stored menu data. In a case where the menu card is inserted, a menu service for the user interface is provided using an external menu data read out from the menu card. Accordingly, it is made possible to provide a user-oriented menu interface environment capable of satisfying the demand of a variety of userrs in a digital television.

Description

Apparatus and method for menu service in digital television

The present invention relates to a menu service technique in a digital A / V device, and more particularly, to a menu service apparatus in a digital television suitable for servicing a menu screen used when performing a user interface in a digital television (TV). It is about a method.

In recent years, there is a growing interest in digital broadcasting (terrestrial, cable or satellite digital broadcasting), which offers significantly better image and sound quality than analog broadcasting, and some areas are testing digital broadcasting or testing in the near future. Planning to implement or implement Therefore, the spread of digital TVs that can cope with such digital broadcasting is rapidly spreading.

On the other hand, in addition to the advantages of providing high-quality video and sound, digital broadcasting is a significant advantage of the dramatic improvement of the user interface using additional digital service data transmission and graphics.

That is, a digital TV provides a convenient user interface through a method of menu control of a digital TV using a graphic user interface (GUI). For this purpose, various menu screen data required for the user interface are stored in the digital TV. .

In addition, menu screens provided on a monitor when the user interface is executed in the digital TV are stored in advance in the production of the digital TV. Such menu screen data are set so that the user cannot change them arbitrarily.

That is, in the related art, since the menu screens used for the user interface are preset so as not to be changed by the manufacturer at the time of production, the users cannot configure the menu screens in their preferred form.

Thus, the conventional method of servicing menu screens that cannot be arbitrarily changed in the user interface requires a menu service of its own preferred form (especially a service of a picture menu having picture items). It is insufficient to satisfy various needs of users.

For example, a user who prefers a car will want a picture menu service that consists of picture items (ie picture items by car type) with the theme of a car. They will hope for a picture menu service that organizes them, and users who prefer animals will also hope for a picture menu service that consists of picture items based on animals.

However, in the conventional method, since the menu screen stored at the time of production of the digital TV is set unchangeable, it is impossible to provide a menu service corresponding to different user preferences, that is, to satisfy user preferences in order to satisfy various needs of users. Could not provide a user-centric menu interface environment.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the foregoing, and by using a card-type menu service device provided from the outside, it is possible to provide a user-centered menu interface environment that meets user preferences at the time of user interface in digital TV. It is an object of the present invention to provide a menu service apparatus and method in digital television.

The present invention, in accordance with the above-mentioned point of consistency, provides a video signal of a broadcast channel reconstructed through MPEG decoding means to a monitor, and a number of self-provided on the monitor in a menu service for a user interface. An apparatus for servicing a menu in a digital television having menu data, the apparatus comprising: memory means for storing the plurality of own menu data; A menu card inserted through a detachable connection jack externally; Card reading means for reading external menu data contained in the menu card in response to a read control signal generated when a menu service request is made when the menu card is inserted; When a menu service request signal is generated when the menu card is not inserted, a self-generating control signal for generating a menu screen corresponding to the generated menu service request is generated, and a menu service when the menu card is inserted. Control means for generating an externally generated control signal together with external menu data read from the menu card through the card reading means when a request signal is generated; When the self-generating control signal is applied, the self-menu screen data is constructed using the self-menu data stored in the memory means, and when the external generating control signal is applied together with the read external menu data, the read external menu data Menu generating means for configuring external menu screen data by using; And image synthesizing means for transmitting a mixed video signal obtained by synthesizing the own menu screen data or the external menu screen data with a video signal of a selected broadcast channel to the monitor.

According to another aspect for achieving the above object, the present invention provides a video signal of a broadcast channel restored through MPEG decoding means to a monitor, and a plurality of self-provided on the monitor in a menu service for a user interface. A method of servicing a menu in a digital television having memory means for storing menu data, the digital television further comprising card reading means for reading external menu data required for service from a menu card inserted through a card connection jack. The menu service method includes: checking whether the menu card is inserted into the connection jack when a menu service request signal for a user interface is generated while the viewing mode is executed; If the menu card is not inserted into the connection jack as a result of the check, generating the own menu screen data corresponding to the generated menu service request using any one of a plurality of own menu data stored in the memory means; If the menu card is inserted into the connection jack as a result of the check, reading external menu data corresponding to the menu service request from the menu card through the card reading means; Generating external menu screen data using the read external menu data; And providing a mixed video signal obtained by synthesizing the generated own menu screen data or external menu screen data with a video signal of a selected broadcast channel to the monitor.

1 is a block diagram of a menu service apparatus in a digital television according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process of selectively servicing an own menu stored in accordance with the present invention and an external menu provided externally in a user interface;

Fig. 3 shows an example of a menu card suitable for use in the menu service apparatus of the present invention.

<Description of the code | symbol about the principal part of drawing>

102: control block 104: menu card

106: card reading block 108: menu generation block

110: memory block 112: video synthesis block

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, a key technical aspect of the present invention is not only to provide a menu service using its own menu screens pre-stored in the digital TV itself for a user interface, but also to provide a menu service using external menu screens provided externally through a menu card. To this end, the menu service device of the present invention reads the menu screen data required for the service from the menu card inserted into the card insertion port through the card connection jack at the time of the user interface, and provides the card as a control block. With a reader.

At this time, the menu card to be used is produced and distributed by each manufacturer of the digital TV in the form of a smart card such as a production company name, a model name of the digital TV, a menu composition theme, etc. as shown in FIG. 3 as an example. Where possible, such a menu card 300, for example, it would be desirable to be sold to the general through an electronics distributor, electronics retailer, supermarkets and the like. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 310 denotes an area in which various information necessary for recognizing the type of the menu card is described and left. In this area 31, for example, an advertisement for a manufacturer of a menu card is displayed. In this way, in addition to providing a user-centered menu interface environment, advertisement effects may also be expected.

1 is a block diagram of a menu service apparatus in a digital television according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The control block 102, the menu card 104, the card reading block 106, and the menu generating block 108 are shown in FIG. , A memory block 110 and an image synthesizing block 112.

Referring to FIG. 1, the control block 102 performs overall operation control of a digital TV, including, for example, a microprocessor, and controls corresponding menu generation when a user interface is requested.

In addition, the menu card 104 is inserted to be detachably attached to a digital TV through a connection jack (not shown). The menu card 104 stores various menu screen data required for a user interface. Examples of the kind include a car-themed menu card, an airplane-themed menu card, an animal-themed menu card, and the like.

Next, the card reading block 106 is one of various types of card readers well known in the art, and detailed illustration in the drawing is omitted, but is mounted on a digital TV at the user interface and omitted. The various menu screen data contained in the inserted menu card is read through the connected connection jack, and the menu screen data read out is provided to the control block 102.

In addition, the card reading block 102 recognizes when the menu card is inserted through the connecting jack to generate a card insertion recognition signal on the line L11, and recognizes when the menu card is removed from the connecting jack, thereby recognizing the removal of the card on the line L11. A signal is generated and passed to the control block 102. For example, when a card is inserted into the connection jack, a high level recognition signal is generated on the line L11, and when a card is removed from the connection jack, a low level recognition signal is generated on the line L11. Accordingly, the control block 102 recognizes whether or not the menu card is inserted or removed in the connection jack based on the recognition signal on the line L11.

Meanwhile, when the menu service request signal for the user interface is input while the menu card is not inserted into the connection jack, the control block 102 provides a menu service using its own menu data stored in the memory block 110. When the menu service request signal for the user interface is input while the menu card is inserted into the connection jack, the external menu read from the menu card 104 is not provided using the menu data stored in the memory block 110 but the menu service is provided. Provides menu service for user interface using data.

That is, when the menu service request signal for the user interface is input while the menu card 104 is not inserted into the connection jack, the menu generation block 108 generates a menu generation control signal for generating a menu corresponding to the menu service on the line L12. ), The menu generation block 108 controls to configure the menu screen data using its own menu data previously stored in the memory block 110.

Unlike the above, when the menu service request signal for the user interface is input while the menu card 104 is inserted into the connection jack, external menu data (i.e., menu card) provided from the card reading block 106 via the line L11. Menu data read out at 104) along with a menu generation control signal to the menu generation block 108 via line L12, so that the menu generation block 108 uses the external menu data read out from the menu card 104; Control to configure menu screen data.

Next, in the menu generation block 108, when a menu generation control signal is provided through the line L12 at the user interface (menu service) (that is, the menu service is provided without the menu card 104 being inserted into the connection jack). ), The memory block 110 is searched out and the corresponding menu data is drawn out, and the own menu screen data is constructed through graphic processing, and the configured own menu screen data is converted into an NTSC or PAL analog signal and then through the line L13. Passed to the image composition block 112. In this case, the memory block 110 stores a plurality of menu data required to perform a user interface.

Further, in the menu generation block 108, when external menu data is provided with the menu generation control signal via the line L12 at the user interface (menu service) (that is, the menu card 104 is inserted into the connection jack). Menu service), using the external menu data provided through line L12 to configure external menu screen data, converting the configured external menu screen data into an NTSC or PAL analog signal, and then performing an image synthesis block 112 through line L13. To pass.

On the other hand, the image synthesizing block 112 shows the video signal of the selected broadcast channel provided through the line L14 in the viewing mode, that is, the video signal of the broadcast channel restored to the original signal before encoding through the MPEG decoder, not shown. It transmits to the abbreviated display side, and transmits the mixed video signal obtained by combining the broadcast channel video signal on the line L14 and the menu screen data on the line L13 in the menu service mode for the user interface to the non-illustrated display side.

Thus, on the monitor on the display side, not shown, the video signal of the broadcast channel selected in the viewing mode will be displayed, and the mixed video signal in which the video signal of the broadcast channel and the menu screen data are combined in the menu service mode will be displayed. .

Next, by using the menu service apparatus in the digital TV according to the present invention having the above-described configuration, the external data read from the self-stored menu data or the menu card to provide a user-centered menu interface environment corresponding to user preferences. A process of adaptively performing a menu service using menu data will be described.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process of selectively servicing an own menu stored in accordance with the present invention and an external menu provided externally in a user interface.

Referring to Fig. 2, the control block 102 checks whether a menu service request signal for a user interface is input (step 204) when executing the viewing mode (step 202). When the menu service request signal is input, it is checked whether or not the menu card 104 providing external menu data is inserted into the connection jack (step 206).

If it is determined in the step 206 that the menu card 104 is not inserted into the connecting jack (for example, when the card recognition signal on the line L11 is low level), then the control block 102 inputs the input. A menu generation control signal for generating a menu corresponding to the menu service request signal is generated and provided to the menu generation block 108 via the line L12 (step 208).

Accordingly, the menu generation block 108 fetches corresponding menu data from the memory block 110 based on the menu generation control signal on the line L12, and constructs its own menu screen data using the extracted menu data (step) 210, by providing to the image synthesizing block 112, a mixed video signal synthesized with its own menu screen is displayed on the monitor (not shown) (step 216).

That is, in the menu service apparatus of the present invention, when a menu service request occurs when the menu card 104 is not inserted into the connection jack, the menu screen configured by using the own menu data stored in the memory block 110 is monitored. To provide.

On the other hand, if it is determined in the step 206 that the menu card 104 is inserted into the connection jack (for example, when the card recognition signal on the line L11 is high level), then the control block 102 inputs. A read control signal for reading a menu corresponding to the menu service request signal is generated and provided to the card reading block 106 via the line L11. As a result, the card reading block 106 reads out the external menu data corresponding to the read control signal on the line L11 among the plurality of menu data contained in the menu card 104 and transfers it to the control block 102 via the line L11. (Step 212).

Then, the control block 102 generates the read external menu data provided via the line L11 along with the menu generation control signal on the line L12 and provides it to the menu generation block 108.

Accordingly, the menu generation block 108 constructs the external menu screen data using the external menu data provided through the line L12 (step 214) and then provides the image composition block 112 to the external menu on the monitor not shown. The mixed video signal obtained by combining the screen (i.e., the screen composed of external menu data read from the menu card) is displayed (step 216).

That is, in the menu service device of the present invention, when a menu service request occurs when the menu card 104 is inserted into the connection jack, the menu service device reads the menu card 104 instead of its own menu data previously stored in the memory block 110. An external menu screen constructed using one external menu data (for example, a menu screen produced on various subjects such as a car, an airplane, an animal, etc.) is provided on a monitor.

As described above, according to the present invention, a card reader for reading menu screen data required for a service from a menu card inserted into a card insertion slot through a card connection jack at a user interface is provided. By providing a menu service for a user interface adaptively using the read external menu data, it is possible to provide a user-centered menu interface environment that can satisfy the needs of various users in digital telegraphy.

Claims (2)

An apparatus for providing a video signal of a broadcast channel reconstructed through MPEG decoding means to a monitor, and for serving a menu in a digital television having a plurality of own menu data for providing on the monitor in a menu service for a user interface. , Memory means for storing said plurality of self menu data; A menu card inserted through a detachable connection jack externally; Card reading means for reading external menu data contained in the menu card in response to a read control signal generated when a menu service request is made when the menu card is inserted; When a menu service request signal is generated when the menu card is not inserted, a self-generating control signal for generating a menu screen corresponding to the generated menu service request is generated, and a menu service when the menu card is inserted. Control means for generating an externally generated control signal together with external menu data read from the menu card through the card reading means when a request signal is generated; When the self-generating control signal is applied, the self-menu screen data is constructed using the self-menu data stored in the memory means, and when the external generating control signal is applied together with the read external menu data, the read external menu data Menu generating means for configuring external menu screen data by using; And And a video synthesizing means for transmitting to the monitor a mixed video signal obtained by synthesizing the own menu screen data or the external menu screen data with a video signal of a selected broadcast channel. Providing a video signal of a broadcast channel reconstructed through the MPEG decoding means to a monitor, and serving a menu in a digital television having memory means storing a plurality of own menu data for providing on the monitor in a menu service for a user interface. In the way, The digital television further includes card reading means for reading external menu data required for service from a menu card inserted through a card connecting jack, The menu service method is: If a menu service request signal for a user interface is generated during execution of the viewing mode, checking whether the menu card is inserted into the connection jack; If the menu card is not inserted into the connection jack as a result of the check, generating the own menu screen data corresponding to the generated menu service request using any one of a plurality of own menu data stored in the memory means; If the menu card is inserted into the connection jack as a result of the check, reading external menu data corresponding to the menu service request from the menu card through the card reading means; Generating external menu screen data using the read external menu data; And And providing a mixed video signal obtained by synthesizing the generated own menu screen data or external menu screen data with a video signal of a selected broadcast channel to the monitor.